Preparations

"Saya tidak mengerti bahasa Indonesia." Any guesses on the interpretation of this phrase? (Google it if you must know right now, or just keep reading...)

Two weeks from tomorrow we arrive in Indonesia for a five-week visit that has been in the works since last October. As those of you who have read our most recent newsletter are aware, we will be spending time working with pilots and mechanics with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) on the island of Borneo. Along with the myriad details we are pulling together in preparation for our travels, Jodie and I have been taking some computer-based Indonesian language lessons (thanks, Aunt Lil!) to aid us as we stumble our way through a foreign language and culture. There are a handful of absolutely essential survival phrases one should always have confidently memorized in the local vernacular before roving about in unfamiliar lands. At the top of this list, I would put "I don't understand [insert local language]." "Where is the bathroom?" would be a close second. I'll let you guess which one appears at the beginning of this post :) . It is our ambition to get well beyond both of these phrases before we depart.

Other preparations include:
- Obtain an Indonesian work visa: Check!
- Purchase electrical adapters to charge our various US electronic devices on the Indonesian power grid: Check!
- Solidify itinerary and purchase airline tickets: Check!
- Determine travel needs for an infant for 5 weeks of international travel in developing countries: Check! (I think...)
- Get an international driver's permit: Check!
- Buy "Snake Away" anti-serpent spray: Check! (Okay, not really but it would be on my wife's list if it existed...)
- Make arrangements for someone to care for our home while we are away: Check!
- Purchase luggage large enough to pack four aircraft crew door windows to replace delaminating windows in MAF aircraft: Ummm, still working on that one...
- Bust at the seams with excitement for the upcoming trip: Check!
- Cover this trip in prayer from beginning to end: Check! (with help from all of you!)

We GREATLY appreciate your prayers as we prepare for and embark on this trip. We pray that, amongst all the many preparations we are making, the Lord would be preparing us for the work He has to do in us on this trip. We also appreciate prayers for safe travels and that the Lord would orchestrate events while we're there. We'll keep you all posted on this blog. Let us know if you are praying with us for this trip, as it is a great encouragement to us and we love hearing from you all!

Connor's First Flight

On Thursday, we will be flying to Michigan to visit Jeremy's grandma, so Jeremy had to make sure that he took Connor for his first flight before then.  We couldn't let someone else introduce Connor to flying!  So last week, Connor and I joined Jeremy in the Kodiak for a short flight.  Connor did great!  He was a little fussy while we were waiting to take off, but once we were in the air, he happily held his bear, looked out the window and sucked his pacifier.  I hope this indicates that he will be a great traveler on Thursday when we fly to Michigan and when we fly to Indonesia in five weeks.

Pilot (Daddy) and passenger (Connor)

First family flight!

Connor still wasn't quite sure what was going on.

Waiting to take off.

Connor looked out the window for the majority of the flight.

Safely back on the ground.

Connor was just about asleep at the end of the flight, so he is slightly out of it.

It can't get much cuter than that!

Daddy's headset fits Connor perfectly!

Spring 2013 Newsletter

Singing at Bedtime

One of my favorite times of the day (though there are many) is when Jeremy and I sing a couple of our favorite hymns together to Connor before bedtime.

Last night, we sang "Because He Lives."  We have sung that song many times, but last night, on Mother's Day, the second verse struck me like it never had before.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby

And feel the pride and joy he gives

But greater still, the calm assurance

This child can face uncertain days

Because He lives.

(chorus)

Because He lives

I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives

All fear is gone

Because I know 

He holds the future

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives.

I'm so thankful that Connor can face uncertain days because Jesus Christ lives!  What comfort that brings to me as his mom.

Highlights from the Past Three Months

I realized today that I hadn't posted in almost three months.  I thought about explaining why I have slacked off, but I'll pull the "mommy card."  I don't know how my days fly by so quickly, only getting done the necessities of life.  So I thought I'd catch you up on our lives through pictures from the last three months.  I can't guarantee when I will write again.  Hopefully it won't be another three months.

February

What a cute, happy 3-month old!

March

Having fun with Grandpa Cherry

The whole Cherry clan at Easter

Fun at the park with Grandma Cherry

April

Spokane Turbine Center's April Class. The pilots were from Spokane, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Alaska

Connor meeting Grandpa Toews

Connor with Grandma Toews and Grandma Cherry

Connor with Grandpa Toews and Grandpa Cherry

Family picture before Connor's dedication at church

Connor's dedication (he really liked the lights on the ceiling)

Four generations present at Connor's dedication- Great-grandpa and Great-grandma Toews, Grandpa and Grandma Toews, Jeremy, myself, Connor, and Grandpa and Grandma Cherry

Snuggles with Grandma Toews at Frank's Diner

Winter 2013 Newsletter

Connor Update: 2 Months Old

As you can see, I have been terrible updating the blog.  Being a mom is a full-time job, consuming much more of my time than I had expected.  It has been wonderful, don't get me wrong.  During the day, I tend to have time to do the necessities of life- nursing, burping, changing diapers, calming a fussy baby, laundry, attempting to put a wide-awake boy down for a nap, or taking a nap myself when Connor finally does take one of his rare long naps- and not much more.  At this moment, Connor is sound asleep in the front pack, which is his favorite place to take real naps.  (I'm very thankful for my Ergo front pack!!)  So I decided to write a quick post since many people have asked about a Connor update.

It is hard to believe that he is already two months old. Time sure flies. He is growing! As of his last week, he weighs 7 lbs, 9 oz and is 20 1/2 inches long. Though it still seems small since that is roughly the average size of newborns, Connor has gained over three pounds and grown almost three inches. He is still eating often around the clock, with a rare 4-5 hour stretch during the night. He smiles frequently, has started cooing, and is just extremely cute!

Well, he just woke up. Signing off for now...